Police Investigate Murder-Suicide In Windsor Locks

WINDSOR LOCKS — A married couple was found dead of gunshot wounds at a home on Webb Street Monday afternoon in what police are calling a murder-suicide, the second such killing last month.

Police went to 36 Webb St. about 1:15 p.m. after a relative who lived with the couple, Stuart and Brigitte Duncan, found them in a first-floor bedroom, Det. Sgt. Paul Cherniack said. The two were dead when officers arrived, police said. Brigitte Duncan was 44; Stuart Duncan was 51, police said.

The deaths mark the ninth intimate partner homicide in Connecticut this year. That equals the amount for all of 2013, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The Windsor Locks domestic murder-suicide was the second this month. Kyla Ryng was shot and killed June 4 in Bristol by her husband, Alexander, who then killed himself while their three children were in the house.

Karen Jarmoc, executive director of the domestic violence coalition, said Monday's murder-suicide in Windsor Locks was the fourth intimate partner homicide since May 7, when Scott Gellatly is accused of forcing his way into his in-laws' home in Oxford and shooting and killing his wife, Lori.

"To see this number of homicides this year is really alarming," Jarmoc said. "It's too early to weigh in on why this is happening. We're struggling with it and we are perplexed by it."

Police released few details in the Windsor Locks case. They said children lived at the home, but were not home during the killing. They are safe, with relatives, police said.

Cherniack said that police hadn't been called to the house in the past, but they were asking family members whether there had been unreported domestic abuse. Neither of the Duncans had a criminal record, police said.

The state police major crimes unit was called to assist Windsor Locks police.

Neighbors on Webb Street described the area as quiet, with several of the homes vacant or families on vacation this time of year.

Jarmoc said such cases cross "all socioeconomic and ethnic boundaries." Since May, there have been intimate partner homicides in Oxford, Enfield, Bristol and now Windsor Locks, she said.

"It's not like it's happening in one part of the state. We struggle as a state with this problem," she said. "When you see that women are losing their lives in these violent relationships, it's very concerning."

She said there is a need to create more awareness about risk factors in domestic violence. She said that in many cases verbal and emotional abuse can turn violent quickly. She said people can reach out for help for themselves or on behalf of loved ones or friends.

"What we try to reinforce is to be safe and work with a professional to develop a safety plan so you can keep yourself and those around you out of harm," Jarmoc said.

Anyone who believes they — or someone they know — may be a victim of domestic violence is urged to call the 24-hour, toll-free, statewide domestic violence hotline at 888-774-2900 to speak with a local domestic violence agency, the coalition said.